Around here (in sunny southern California) we’re in what the locals complain is “June Gloom.” The weather isn’t sunny and 75 degrees every day. In fact, most days, it’s overcast, at least until about 12 pm. And the evenings are very cool. So, in So-Cal terms, it’s terrible weather.
(I don’t mean to brag to all my Oklahoma friends suffering from near 100-degree days already, so forgive me.)
We just came out of “May Gray,” which is more of the same weather, so this is a constant topic of discussion or at least negative commentary lately.
It has me in my feelings and will serve us well for our next series.
One thing I HATE seeing from my boys is unmerited outrage. I know they are hormonal and have so many feelings wound up inside with limited capacity to contain them, so I try to keep that in mind. I am also completely aware that my boys for the most part do a really good job in most settings to keep their emotions in check and maintain appropriate levels according to the situation, so I try to be gracious.
There are still plenty of times, however, in which they will absolutely blow a gasket for apparently no reason or over something so insignificant that I can’t stand it. I know I can’t match their emotion and expect different results, but I can’t help myself, feeling extremely frustrated as I sit with them as they learn to dial in their emotional control center, the amygdala.
Where I am going to land this emotional shipwreck is on my own runway, not theirs. I realize that much of their behavior is all learned. They do what is modeled to them. They mostly repeat what they see.
So, I’m over here in the middle of June Gloom, asking myself, looking in the mirror, and wondering a couple of deep crucial questions about my feelings and therefore actions. Why do I get so upset at silly things at times? What is behind my “funk” where I just feel “blah” or “meh?”
I thought maybe you could benefit from some introspection as well as. You may not be responsible for little lives currently, maybe yours are grown and gone or you don’t have any, but the reality is that “a tree is recognized by its fruit” (Luke 6:43). Others see us and pressure doesn’t make us better, it exposes what’s inside.
Question #1: What is the main crop of your orchard? What fruit are you producing?
Question #2: Who is the recipient of the ripest of your harvest? Does your family get your rotten pieces left on the ground? (they should get the good stuff)
Question #3: What can be planted, pruned, or prepared in order for better fruit to be grown and developed?
Remember, the Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL (Gal 5:22-23).
If you don’t like what’s growing, check what seeds you’re planting!
#JuneGloom
#GrowingSomething
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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